Mountain West Power Dozen: No. 2 Spot Up For Grabs Saturday

Wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes and the Boise State Broncos visit Utah State on Saturday for an MWC Mountain Division showdown. Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images.

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Ranking the Mountain West Conference 1-12 through six weeks of action:

1. Fresno State (5-0, 2-0 MWC)

Last Week: Dispatched host Idaho, 61-14

This Week: Bye

Quick Take: After matching school single-game record with 16 catches for 185 yards and three TDs vs. the Vandals, sophomore receiver Davante Adams has 21 career TD catches — only four off FSU’s all-time mark.

2. Boise State (3-2, 1-1)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: at Utah State, 6 p.m. MT

Quick Take: The Broncos get a big break coming off bye as they won’t have to face injured USU QB Chuckie Keeton this Saturday in key Mountain Division showdown in Logan.

3. Utah State (3-3, 2-0)

Last Week: Lost at BYU, 31-14

This Week: vs. Boise State, 6 p.m. MT

Quick Take: The shell-shocked Aggies have an open quarterback competition this week between junior college transfer Craig Harrison and true freshman Darell Garretson after their heart and soul Chuckie Keeton was lost for the year with ACL and MCL tears in the loss to the Cougars.

4. Wyoming (3-2, 1-0)

Last week: Bye

This Week: vs. New Mexico, 1:30 p.m. MT

Quick Take: Homecoming matchup doesn’t exactly favor ‘Pokes this week as they try to slow the nation’s top rushing team with FBS’ 114th-ranked run defense.

5. San Jose State (2-3, 1-1)

Last Week: Won at Hawaii, 37-27

This Week: at Colorado State, 1:30 p.m. MT

Quick Take: Spartans getting healthier after a rash of early-season injuries and may get standout CB Bene Benwikere back this week.

6. San Diego State (2-3, 1-0)

Last Week: Outlasted visiting Nevada, 51-44, in overtime

This Week: at Air Force, 7 p.m. MT (Thursday)

Quick Take: The Aztecs’ 51 points last Friday were sight to behold after they averaged only 20.5 over their first four contests.

7. Nevada (3-3, 2-1)

Last Week: Lost at San Diego State, 51-44, in OT

This Week: Bye

Quick Take: After a demanding first half of the season which featured tilts against undefeated and nationally-ranked UCLA and Florida State, the Wolf Pack get a week off to contemplate the missed opportunities in their first conference loss of the season.

8. Colorado State (2-3, 0-0)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: vs. San Jose State, 1:30 p.m. MT

Quick Take: The Rams, coming off two straight wins and a bye week, will be the final MWC team to open MWC play.

9. UNLV (3-2, 1-0)

Last Week: Bye

This Week: vs. Hawaii, 5:05 p.m. PT

Quick Take: Don’t look now, but the Rebels are riding a three-game win streak that should grow to four with winless Rainbow Warriors coming to the desert.

10. New Mexico (2-3, 0-1)

Last Week: Ran over visiting New Mexico State, 66-17

This Week: at Wyoming, 1:30 p.m. MT

Quick Take: Kasey Carrier and the Lobos’ ground game hitting their stride having cranked out an eye-popping 1,433 rushing yards during their last three outings.

11. Air Force (1-5, 0-4)

Last Week: Lost at Navy, 28-10

This Week: vs. San Diego State, 7 p.m. MT (Thursday)

Quick Take: It sounds as if it’s another mid-week “game-on” decision for the reeling Falcons, who have dropped five straight and are off to their worst start in 20 seasons.

12. Hawaii (0-5, 0-3)

Last Week: Lost to visiting San Jose State, 37-27

This Week: at UNLV, 5:05 p.m. PT

Quick Take: The Rainbow Warriors still are seeking a win and a reliable starting quarterback with opening-week starter Taylor Graham ready to return after missing the last two games with a shoulder injury.